Restoration of the Goody Goody burger joint, a Tampa landmark built in 1925 that closed its longest-standing location along Florida Avenue nine years ago, will be guided by Columbia Restaurant Group co-owner and president Richard Gonzmart.
On Monday, a news release announced that Gonzmart purchased the rights to the Goody Goody brand from resident Michael Wheeler, who owned it since 1981, after on-and-off negotiations.
The deal also consists of the restaurant's famed secret sauce recipe and some of its furniture, including the you-know-it-when-you-see-it Goody Goody sign.
Though details are slim, Gonzmart plans to incorporate ground beef from Myakka City's Strickland Ranch (Ulele uses Strickland's Fresh From Florida meat, too), fresh-cut French fries and, of course, house-made butterscotch pies and ice cream into the revived restaurant's menu.
Goody Goody, which originally highlighted barbecue, launched in Missouri before its then-owner moved the joint to Florida in the '20s. Carhops and all, it was Tampa's quintessential drive-in.
In the release, Gonzmart said he remembers having Goody Goody on speed dial. He'd call ahead to get his no-frills fix — a bag of Hamburgers POX, the restaurant's code for pickles, onions and secret sauce — on his drive home from work Saturday afternoons.
The restaurateur said he didn't want the eatery's name to fade into history.
